Bracelet connecter



Dwz.,- 17, 1935.

c. R. TosT BRACELET CONNECTER Filed oct. 1e, 1934 Mul Wbb;

Patented Dec. 17, 1935 MNTED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRACELET CONNECTER Application October 16, 1934, Serial No. 748,431

11 Claims.

This invention relates to extensible bracelet connecters and particularly, although not exclusively, tc extensible connecters for, the bracele* secticnsof wrist watch bracelets.

With the construction illustrated in the Domler Patent No. 1,966,063 dated July 10, 1934, a wide expansion of the bracelet to facilitate passing it over the hand may be effected by opening or unfolding the folding links and extending the sliding members, while a minor or smaller adjustrnent may be made after the folding links are closed and while the bracelet is on the wrist by means of the ratchet and pawl locking de- 15.: vices which resist relative sliding movement of the sliding members in a lengthening direction but permit such sliding movement in asliortening direction.

It sometimes happens, as is well known, that after a bracelet is applied to the wrist, a slight swelling or enlargement of the wrist may occur, through temperature or exercise or similar natural causes, in which case if the original adjustment of the bracelet was comfortably snug, it becomes tool tight and the only remedy has been to open the folding links and readjust the sliding members. It also sometimes happens that the hand of the wearer is unusually large as compared to the wrist, so that difficulty is experienced in slipping the bracelet over the hand even when the folding links and the sliding members are fully extended.

To overcome these objections and to provide for an increased and elastic or yielding extensibility of the connecter, whether the connecter is closed or open, is the principal object ofthis invention.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the invention applied to a wrist watch bracelet.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, showing the connecter partsV in fully closed and retracted position;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away, showing the sliding members partly extended or elongated and the folding links in closed position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan View, partly broken away, showing the sliding members fully extended or elongated and the folding links fully open or unfolded;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of the connecter with the parts in the same position as shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side view of the connecter showing the sliding members extended and the folding links partially open;

Fig. 6 is a cross section on line 6 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a cross section on line 'I--1 of Fig. 2; and Y Fig. 8 is a cross section on line 8-8 of Fig. 3.

The form of bracelet to which the invention is applied, and the mode of attachment of the bracelet ends to the connecter, and the mode of attachment of the bracelet sections to the watch, if the bracelet be a watch bracelet, are not material to this invention. The wrist encircling bracelet sections I0, Ill, may comprise flexibly interconnected links, as herein illustrated, or they may be bands of leather or fabric or other appropriate material; and they may be provided with end loops II, I I, or other suitable fastenings for attachment to a watch.

In the embodiment of the vinvention herein illustrated the improved connecter comprises three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide indicated generally at I2, and the other two constituting end slides, indicated generally at I3 and I4; respectively, the end slides being so positioned as to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide I2.

As herein shown, the middle slide I 2 comprises two parallel, opposed, lengthwise extending channels I5, I5, connected together by cross bars or plates I6 and I'I at or near opposite ends of the n slide. Instead of separated bars or plates I6, I1, a continuous integral plate might be used', bridging the whole space between the side channels I5, I5. A spring tongue'IB is struck up from the cross plate I1 (or from the continuous cross plate if a single plate is used) and has an upturned tip I9 to act as a pawl and a stop in the manner hereinafter described.

The end slide I3, as herein shown, comprises two parallel rails 20, 20, connected at their ends by cross bars or plates 2| and 22. The rails 2i), 20, slide in the channels I5, I5, of the middle slide. When the end slide I3 is fully extended the cross bar 22 abuts against the upturned tip I9 of the pawl which acts as a stop for the movement of slide I3 in a lengthening direction. The end slide I3 is free toslide in either direction relatively to the middle slide I2 without restraint unless the folding links are closed.

The other end slide I4, as herein shown, comprises a flanged plate, whose flanges 23 (Fig. 7) slide in the channels I5, I5, of the middle slide leaving a space beyond the flanges and within channels I5, I5, to receive small coil springs 24.

The Slide I4 is provided with a pair of lugs or 55 ears 25 (Figs. 1 and 2) at its inner end to form abutments for one end of each'spring 24. The other ends of the springs 24 abut against inturned ears 26 formed at the ends of channels I 5. Thus the end slide I4 is yieldingly urged by the springs toward retracted or shortened position and is normally but yieldingly held in that position.

The free-moving end slide I3 and the spring actuated end slide I4 are preferably of such dimensions that their inner ends abut 01 approximately abut or terminate close to each other when in retracted position without overlapping. The slide I3Vis preferably the longer; but the exact proportions are not essential. Nor is it essenial that both of the end slides be mounted inside of the middle slide. be mounted outside of the middle slide and the other inside, in which case the two end slides could be made long enough to overlap without interfering with each other thus affording an increased extensibility.

A folding link 21 is pivotally attached at one end byany suitable means, such as a pivot pin, to the outer end of the free acting end slide I3. The link 21 may be termed the intermediate folding link. Pvotally attached to the outer end of the folding link 21 is another folding link 28. The intermediate folding link 21 is preferably of such length as to terminate Yshort of the inner end of slide I4, when the links are folded, and is pivoted to the terminal folding link 28 at a point somewhat remote from the inner end of link 28 to provide a projection 29 extending far enough beyond the pivot to cover the sliding link I4 when all the parts are in closed position; The link 28 is made with side flanges 3D, 30, between which the end of link 21 is pivoted. The flanges 30, 30, also terminate short of the inner end of slide I4 so that when the parts are closed the links 21 and 28 may be closely nested between the channels I5, I5.

The bracelet ends I0, I 0 are attached respectively by any suitable means to the outer end of slide I4 and the outer end of folding link 28.

I'he link 21 has formed on it a series of shoulders or teeth which, as herein shown, may be formed in the metal of the link by suitable dies, or may be made in any other convenient way. These shoulders or teeth constitute in eect a ratchet for engagement with the pawl I9 when the folding links are closed or folded over on the sliding members. The teeth of the ratchet are so formed that when the folding links are closed and the ratchet is engaged with the pawl, the end slide I3, together with the folding links connected thereto, is prevented from being slid outwardly, that is. in a direction to extend the connected, but is free to be slid inwardly in a direction to shorten the connecterand will be retained in that shortened or contracted position to which it may be adjusted. But the end slide I4 is at all times and in all positions of the folding links free to expand yieldingly against the tension of the springs 24. Instead of making the ratchet on the intermediate link 21 it might be on the terminal link 28 as illustrated in said Domler patent.

In 'order to open the connecter for the purpose of passing the bracelet over the hand of the wearer, the folding links 21 and 28 are unfolded and extended and the slides I2 and I3 are also extended. If this does not afford a sufficient enlargement'of the bracelet, it will be still fur-Y One of them might ther expanded by the extension of the spring actuated slide I4, which will again automatically assume its retracted position as soon as the necessity for the augmented expansion is over. When the bracelet encircles the wrist the fold- 5 ing links are folded and closed upon the sliding members and thereupon the ratchet 3I engages the pawl I9. This ordinarily makes only an approximate adjustment and in order to obtain a close t the final, nice adjustment is then l0 made by sliding the end slide I3 and the parts attached to it inwardly, the pawl I9 riding over the ratchet teeth until the desired t is obtained. Thereafter if any small increase in the girth of the wrist occurs, as already mentioned, the l5 length of the connecter will be automatically increased by the extension of the spring actuated slide I4, and similarly the spring actuated slide I4 will automatically contract and compensate for any subsequent decrease in the girth of the 20 wrist. Thus the improved connecter at all times will maintain a snug t of the bracelet without binding or discomfort and without readjustment of the ratchet and pawl locking devices.

A small boss 32 of usual construction may be 25 provided on each side of the folding link 28 to snap under the edges of the channels I5, I5 and hold the folding links yieldingly in closed position.

The joint or hinge member 33, (Fig. 5) at the 30' outer end of link 28 is adapted to snap over the hinge connecting parts 21 and 2B when the folding links are closed, thus assisting in yieldingly locking the parts in closed position.

The slides and links are somewhat curved or 35 arched, as shown, so that the connecter When closed upon the Wrist will conform generally to the'curvature of the wrist.

It will be understood that the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many forms, and is not limited to the structural details herein described, but may be varied to suit different tastes and designs without departing from the substance of the invention as defined in the follow- 45 ing claims.

I claim:

1. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end 50 slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide,

a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, a folding link pivotally connected to the other end slide and adapted to be 55 unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed position upon the sliding members when the end slides are in retracted position, the spring actuated'end slide-being free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of 60 the folding link, and means whereby the other slide is locked against sliding outwardly when the folding link is in closed position but is free to slide in either direction when the folding link is in open position. 65

2. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slidel and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, a folding link pivotally connected to the other end slide and adapted to be unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed position upon the sliding members when 75 the end slides are in retracted position, the spring actuated end slide being free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of the folding link, and cooperating means on the folding link and the middle slide', respectively, to prevent outward movement of the end slide to which the folding link is connected but to permit inward adjustment thereof while the folding link is in closed position.

3. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, an intermediate folding link pivoted at one end to the outer end of the other end slide, another folding link pivoted to the other end of the intermediate folding link, said folding links being adapted to be unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed position upon the sliding members when the end slides are in retracted position, the spring actuated end slide being free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of the folding link, and cooperating means on one of the folding links and the middle slide, respectively, tol prevent outward movement of the end slide to which the intermediate folding link is pivoted but to permit inward movement-thereof while the folding links are in closed position.

ll. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, a folding link pivotally connected to the other end slide and adapted to be unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed position upon the sliding members when the end slides are in retracted position, the spring actuated end slide being4 free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of the folding link, and locking-members on the folding link and the middle slide respectively, one of -said locking members consisting of a ratchet and the other consisting of a pawl, to prevent outward movement of the end slide to which the folding link is connected but to permit inward adjustment thereof while the folding link is in closed position. y

5. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, an intermediate folding link pivoted at one end to the outer end of the other end slide, another folding link pivoted to the other end of the intermediate folding link, said folding links being adapted to be unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed position upon the sliding members when the end slides are in retracted position, the spring actuated end slide being free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of the folding link, and locking members on one of the folding links and the middle slide, respectively, one of said locking members consisting of a pawl and the other consisting of a ratchet, the ratchet and pawl being adapted to engage with each other only When the folding links are in closed position and being so formed as to prevent outward movement of the end slide to which the intermediate folding link is pivoted but to permit inward movement thereof while the folding links are in closed position.

6. A n extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, a folding link pivotally connected to the other end slide and adapted to be unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed position on the sliding members and to cover the spring actuated end slides when all the parts are in closed and retracted position, the spring actuated end slide being free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of the folding link, and means whereby the other slide is locked against sliding outwardly when the folding link is in closed position but is free to slide in either direction when the folding link is in open position. l

'7. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, a spring. yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, an intermediate folding link pivoted at one end to the outer end of the other end slide, another folding link pivoted to the other end of the intermediate folding link, said folding links being adapted to be unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed position on the sliding members, the second folding link being adapted to cover the spring actuated end slide when all the parts are in closed and retracted position, the spring actuated end slide being free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of the folding link, and cooperating means on one of the folding links and the middle slide, respectively, to prevent outward movement of the end slide to which the intermediate folding link is pivoted but to permit inward movement thereof while the folding links are in closed position.

8. An extensible connecter for bracelets co-mprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide end- Wise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, the inner ends of said end slides terminating close to each other Without overlapping, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, the other end slide being free to slide Without restraint in either direction, an

intermediate folding link pivoted at one end to the outer end of the latter end slide and terminating short f the inner end of the spring actuated end slide when the parts are closed, and a second folding link pivoted kto the other end of the intermediate folding link and having a projection extending beyond the pivot of the intermediate link adap-ted 'to cover the spring. actuated end slide when all the parts are in closed and retracted position.

9. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide end- Wise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, the inner ends of said end slides terminating close to each other without overlapping, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, the other end slide being free to slide without restraint in either direction, an intermediate folding link pivoted at one end to the outer end of the latter end slide and terminating short of the inner end of the spring actuated end slide when the parts are closed, and a second folding link pivoted to the other end of the intermediate folding link and having a projection extending beyond the pivot of the intermediate link adapted to cover the spring actuated end slide when all the parts are in closed and retracted position and locking members on one of the folding links and the middle slide, respectively, one of said locking members consisting of a ratchet and the other consisting of a pawl, the ratchet and pawl being adapted to engage with each other only when the folding links are in closed position and being, so formed as to prevent outward movement of the end slide to which the intermediate folding link is pivoted but to permit inward movement thereof while the folding links are in closed position, the spring actuated end slide being free to slide in either direction irrespective of the position of the folding links.

10. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising three sliding members, one constituting a middle slide and the other two constituting end slides positioned respectively to slide endwise in and out from opposite ends of the middle slide, a spring yieldingly urging one end slide toward retracted position, the other end slide being free to slide Without restraint in either direction and 5 a pair of folding links pivoted together end to end, one of the folding links being pivoted at its end to the outer end of the last named end slide, said folding' links being adapted to be unfolded to open position and to be folded in closed 10 position upon all three sliding members when the end slides are in retracted position.

11. An extensible connecter for bracelets comprising two relatively sliding members, two relatively folding members hinged to each other, one l5 of the folding members being hinged to the end of one of the sliding members, said members being adapted to be extended and unfolded to lengthened and open position and to be contracted and folded to shortened and closed po- 20 sition, an additional extension slide mounted to slide endwise in and out from the end of one of said members,rand a spring normally but yieldingly urging said additional slide inwardly toward its retracted position, whereby the nor- 25 mal length of the connecter may be yieldingly increased.

CHARLES R. TOST. 

